Expect heavy traffic as Christmas rush approaches, MMDA says     

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warns motorists to brace for heavier vehicular traffic in Metro Manila as the Christmas holiday approaches. 

The MMDA says motorists should prepare for heavier traffic as the country approaches Christmas Day

According to MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, the agency has observed an increase in the number of vehicles passing through EDSA. MMDA monitoring reveals that an average of 417,000 vehicles have been using the country’s busiest thoroughfare on a daily basis as of November 24, 2022. 

This was reportedly higher than the 405,000-vehicle daily volume recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic. The MMDA previously said that the Christmas rush is expected to add between 10 and 20 percent to the current traffic volume in the National Capital Region. 

“Despite that, ang atin pong average speed sa EDSA ay almost 16 kilometers per hour, na mas mabilis sa pre-pandemic level na about 11 kilometers per hour,” Artes said.  

(Despite that, our average speed on EDSA is almost 16 kilometers per hour, faster than the pre-pandemic level of about 11 kilometers per hour)

Clearing operations are being conducted as part of efforts to ease traffic flow

MMDA Director Noemie Recio says that travel time on EDSA’s northbound and southbound portions can reach 24.66 and 20.39 kilometers per hour, respectively. 

The MMDA has been conducting road clearing operations near the usual Christmas shopping centers such as Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City and Divisoria in Manila. 

In addition, the agency has also coordinated with shopping malls in adjusting the latter’s operating hours, opening at 11:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. daily. Mall-wide sales have been limited to weekends. While deliveries of stocks are allowed between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. only, there are exemptions for perishable goods, restaurants serving breakfast, and grocery items.   

Shopping malls have shifted their operating hours to accommodate the holiday rush

Road construction activities along Metro Manila’s national roads have been halted as well, including pipe-laying, road upgrades, and all other excavation works in an effort to reduce the impact of heavier vehicular traffic. The suspension will last until January 6, 2023. 

Our traffic updates are heavy on information at Philkotse.com.